I know I have een out of commission for a while but it is America abrabo that has kept me away. Do not fret though, I am still kicking and have not lost my big mouth so I will be sure to flow this weekend. In the meantime, chew on these questions...
Why is it that some Ghana peeps have only been in this country for like 2 years and quicker to claim (in heavily accented slang AKA blowing phone) that they no longer speak the language or cannot remember anything about Ghana than those that have been here forever?
Why is it that there are so many Africans in this country yet only the Latinos participate when there is a protest about INS/green card business yet we complain about how they are taking over...it's called power in numbers people.
Why is it that only African churches do deliverance? Does that mean the rest of you churchgoers are walking with spirits that you are not aware of? Kai!!!
Why is it that African parents give you so many warnings when you go out with your friends that you spend the whole night wondering what it is that you CAN acutally do...you better not talk to such and such, you better not stay past 10, you better not behave like such as such, you better not forget which family you come from...dang it's just a birthday party.
later gatahs!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
A whole you
This term is often used by our Naija breathren but we use it as well. Let me break it down...
A whole you can be used in the negative or positive sense--either to assert that you have done something that is unexpected of your station/class and that you need to reevaluate your action or that someone has done something that is not in line with them realizing who you are.
In the negative sense it might be used in an instance in which a girl dates a guy who is not necessarily perceived to be on her level. The verbal assailant might say, "ahh! so you are going to date that, that, that boy? A WHOLE YOU?!?!?!?"
In the positive sense it might be used to bolster your ego or your station/class. In the same scenario described above, the girl herself might say, "can you imagine, that, that, that, boy had the affrontery to try to date me. Me! Me! A WHOLE ME! Kai!"
I have used it when someone has spoken to me out of turn, "see his mouth, talking to A WHOLE ME anyhow. Nonsense!"
A whole you can be used in the negative or positive sense--either to assert that you have done something that is unexpected of your station/class and that you need to reevaluate your action or that someone has done something that is not in line with them realizing who you are.
In the negative sense it might be used in an instance in which a girl dates a guy who is not necessarily perceived to be on her level. The verbal assailant might say, "ahh! so you are going to date that, that, that boy? A WHOLE YOU?!?!?!?"
In the positive sense it might be used to bolster your ego or your station/class. In the same scenario described above, the girl herself might say, "can you imagine, that, that, that, boy had the affrontery to try to date me. Me! Me! A WHOLE ME! Kai!"
I have used it when someone has spoken to me out of turn, "see his mouth, talking to A WHOLE ME anyhow. Nonsense!"
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Excess
If this does not ring a bell right away, then you are officially not African so let me break it down:
Whenever we travel back home we must pack about 7 suitcases, knowing full well that the limit is 2, then we go to the airport and begin negotiations. Of course the counter agents are always steadfast in their positions and insist that if you are over by even a few ounces, you must pay excess. That is when you begin to tell your sob story about how you have not been home in 10 years and that these things must travel with you, without the charge, of course. At least only charge for every other suitcase. Oh well, I have seen this technique work once so give it a try.
Then don't forget the random people who want you to take the most interesting things back home for them. Things that are often hard to pack or bundled in such a way that your own things may have to be shifted to suitcases 9 and 10. So my brother and I calculated the cost of excess in the instances where someone gives you an entire suitcase and gives you the money for the excess charge (often $150). So for $150 dollars you get to send paracitamol (tylenol), tuna, towels, sheets, shirts, etc., oftentimes, the excess charge is worth more than the items in the suitcase but go figure.
Anyway, this is our tradition and we are sticking by it. You know people will be expecting for you to come from America and dash plenty cash and things so how can you just go with Obroni-type luggage. Some may even take your name to Babalawo or Jujuman for being overlooked in your dashing. So better to haggle with counter agents than to deal with disgruntled "relatives." So the games continue!
Whenever we travel back home we must pack about 7 suitcases, knowing full well that the limit is 2, then we go to the airport and begin negotiations. Of course the counter agents are always steadfast in their positions and insist that if you are over by even a few ounces, you must pay excess. That is when you begin to tell your sob story about how you have not been home in 10 years and that these things must travel with you, without the charge, of course. At least only charge for every other suitcase. Oh well, I have seen this technique work once so give it a try.
Then don't forget the random people who want you to take the most interesting things back home for them. Things that are often hard to pack or bundled in such a way that your own things may have to be shifted to suitcases 9 and 10. So my brother and I calculated the cost of excess in the instances where someone gives you an entire suitcase and gives you the money for the excess charge (often $150). So for $150 dollars you get to send paracitamol (tylenol), tuna, towels, sheets, shirts, etc., oftentimes, the excess charge is worth more than the items in the suitcase but go figure.
Anyway, this is our tradition and we are sticking by it. You know people will be expecting for you to come from America and dash plenty cash and things so how can you just go with Obroni-type luggage. Some may even take your name to Babalawo or Jujuman for being overlooked in your dashing. So better to haggle with counter agents than to deal with disgruntled "relatives." So the games continue!
Friday, December 30, 2005
Afihyipa ohhhhh
Afi si seie na...
I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. For those praying for more money, husband/wife, career goals, etc., send me ur prayer request and I will forward it to Pastor. I ahve submitted mine, quick quick! In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday and make sure to call me to your house to enjoy whatever omotuo, aponkyi nkrakra, or whatever else you have cooked.
Talk to u in 06!
I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. For those praying for more money, husband/wife, career goals, etc., send me ur prayer request and I will forward it to Pastor. I ahve submitted mine, quick quick! In the meantime, have a wonderful holiday and make sure to call me to your house to enjoy whatever omotuo, aponkyi nkrakra, or whatever else you have cooked.
Talk to u in 06!
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Ghanaians and the English Language/Insults
Ghanaians take the English language very seriously. Therefore, things that we may say "by the way" here in America or take very lighty can cause great offense. For a example, never tell a Ghanaian that he/she is foolish. Kai! Kataka will definitely burst. According to Wikipedia (whose defintions are now under much scrutiny but anyway....we will proceed) the actual definition of foolish is:
The response is usually, "withdraw your statement" or "ohhhhhhhh, so you are calling me foolish, ehn?" This insult is not take lightly so try to reserve it for serious times. Being stupid is not taken lightly by Ghana peeps.
The next insult is "Go a you," often used to make one feel stupid and to want to disappear. It is prolly equivalent to "go to hell, " "get out of my face" and the like. If you ever hear this, have no doubt that the user intends to insult you well well.
Another thing that Ghana peeps might use to make you feel stupid is "who sent you?" Here is a scenario:
silly or not wise. A fool is a person who is stupid or easily tricked.
The response is usually, "withdraw your statement" or "ohhhhhhhh, so you are calling me foolish, ehn?" This insult is not take lightly so try to reserve it for serious times. Being stupid is not taken lightly by Ghana peeps.
The next insult is "Go a you," often used to make one feel stupid and to want to disappear. It is prolly equivalent to "go to hell, " "get out of my face" and the like. If you ever hear this, have no doubt that the user intends to insult you well well.
Another thing that Ghana peeps might use to make you feel stupid is "who sent you?" Here is a scenario:
You have done something which results in negative repercussions. You go and talk to
someone hoping for sympathy. Depending on your level of involvement in reaching the
negative end result, the response might be, "ahhhhhhhh, but who sent you?"
Dang, if you did not already feel stupid, you will at that point.
Hwoo!
This is only a sound effect but it speaks volumes. This is often used to signify that your foolishness is beyond words it is often worse than words. It often accompanied by the roll of eyes and maybe even a turning of the body in disgust.
Please add more in the comments section with your big heads!
someone hoping for sympathy. Depending on your level of involvement in reaching the
negative end result, the response might be, "ahhhhhhhh, but who sent you?"
Dang, if you did not already feel stupid, you will at that point.
Hwoo!
This is only a sound effect but it speaks volumes. This is often used to signify that your foolishness is beyond words it is often worse than words. It often accompanied by the roll of eyes and maybe even a turning of the body in disgust.
Please add more in the comments section with your big heads!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Ghanaian Church
Okay so I begun attending a Ghanaian church (Bible-based ministry) almost 2 years ago and let me tell you, it is like nothing else. Actually I think most African churches operate rather similarly but I will address the one I know. Before I begin I must shout out the church mothers, the Sunday school teachers, the prayer warriors, the prayer towers, the women who always dance harder than you even do at the club during praise and worship, and the evangelists who can tell you what is going on in your life by praying a little with you. For those who are lost, it means you have never been to an African/Ghanaian church. It is not what you see at your traditional Catholic or Episcopalian church ohhhhh. Let me school you on what will happen and what you can hope to gain (the key words are bolded):
Whatever devil has been walking with you, they will rebuke it and cast it out quick, quick;
Whatever ancestral curses and covenants have been made on your behalf, must be aborted;
You will learn the meaning of POWERFUL PRAYER--as my pastor says, when we are PRAYING, we are PRAYING--not all that whispering and somber prayer ohhh, you must do battle. You will bind things on earth, you will come against principalities, Chaley, it is not easy;
You will begin to feel guilty about committing any sin because you will always hear the repercussions ringing in your ears;
You will know songs like Ogunchola (It'a a Miracle), My Oga Jesus, Awuradi A Ye A Ma Mi, and Me Huri So;
You will have a chance to become more local; and, you will praise and worship like you never have in your life.
It is great, I love going to church and aside from the fact that more people might be in your business and any "uncle" or "aunty" can call you out, it is wonderful.
Visit your local (no pun intended) Ghanaian church!
For those who want to experience this feely feely kadochi (for yourself), hit me up...I will make arrangements for you and we go dance and sing...
WE CONQA SA-TAN, WE CONQA DE-VIL...
AT THE MENTION OF HIS NAAAAAME, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW...
FAYA BURNIN IN MY SOULLLLLLLL, HOLY GHOST A FAYA EHHHHHHHHHH, PENTECOST A FAYA EHHHHHHHH
Whatever devil has been walking with you, they will rebuke it and cast it out quick, quick;
Whatever ancestral curses and covenants have been made on your behalf, must be aborted;
You will learn the meaning of POWERFUL PRAYER--as my pastor says, when we are PRAYING, we are PRAYING--not all that whispering and somber prayer ohhh, you must do battle. You will bind things on earth, you will come against principalities, Chaley, it is not easy;
You will begin to feel guilty about committing any sin because you will always hear the repercussions ringing in your ears;
You will know songs like Ogunchola (It'a a Miracle), My Oga Jesus, Awuradi A Ye A Ma Mi, and Me Huri So;
You will have a chance to become more local; and, you will praise and worship like you never have in your life.
It is great, I love going to church and aside from the fact that more people might be in your business and any "uncle" or "aunty" can call you out, it is wonderful.
Visit your local (no pun intended) Ghanaian church!
For those who want to experience this feely feely kadochi (for yourself), hit me up...I will make arrangements for you and we go dance and sing...
WE CONQA SA-TAN, WE CONQA DE-VIL...
AT THE MENTION OF HIS NAAAAAME, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW...
FAYA BURNIN IN MY SOULLLLLLLL, HOLY GHOST A FAYA EHHHHHHHHHH, PENTECOST A FAYA EHHHHHHHH
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
You are very serviceable
How many of you ladies have been told this? If you have not then you might be in trouble ohhh. This is a guy's way of saying good traditional Ghanaian girl, i.e., you cook well, you serve well, and you may even clean well. Apparently, it is even more shocking to find a serviceable Ghanakat woman (Ghanaian woman who grew up in Yankee (America) or Bylon (London) or Gemain (Germany)), so to all you serviceable Yankee, Gemain, or Bylon based women out there...take a bow. To the rest of you, your best bet is to make one good pot of rice and stew or better yet any soup and fufu. Charley you will see as they will begin to say, "you dis girl, you are very serviceable ohhh." Buahahahahahahahhahahahhah
CAVEAT FOR THE LADIES
Do not start being serviceable too soon in a relationship ohhhhhhhh, otherwise you might as well change your name to Serwah (abi, na housegirl). You will never see the inside of Cheesecake Factory or Houston's if the proper balance is not followed here. Kai!
CAVEAT FOR THE LADIES
Do not start being serviceable too soon in a relationship ohhhhhhhh, otherwise you might as well change your name to Serwah (abi, na housegirl). You will never see the inside of Cheesecake Factory or Houston's if the proper balance is not followed here. Kai!
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